RP log: Tala/Rei

This is rated probably about R, due to dream scenes. The dream scenes are in italics.



Tala finally wandered back to the castle. Something was going on, something bad. He didn't know what exactly, but he could sense it. Especially when King had called. Rei seemed so rushed, and had even asked him to leave so his presence didn't upset the other pregnant blader!

Rei hadn't moved from where he had fallen as time passed on, his mind trapped in dreams and memories, as he lay crumpled on the floor. His memory played over those moments long ago when he had first lost his virginity and no matter how he wanted to wake he couldn't.

Tala slowly made his way back to their room, fully preparing himself for a night on the couch if necessary. He wouldn't like it, but he wouldn't make a fuss. Rei could be downright scary at times, especially now. Tala smiled as he shook his head.

"Rei! Sensei wants to see you," the young neko glanced up, hurrying to Lee's side at that as he brushed his hair out of his face. He was still a child but he had been chosen as the leader of the White Tigers. A dream come true for anyone, but he had a secret. He would never lead the tribe. People like him were only to be sacrifices to the gods. That was his fate.

Tala stood outside the door, pausing as he wondered if he should even venture in, no matter how brief. Rei was worried for King's sake... so what if him just being there was wrong? He shook his head. Grasping the handle, he turned the knob, unprepared for what awaited him.

Rei turned to follow Lee, hurrying after his 'brother' before glancing up, feeling a heavy hand on his shoulder. His eyes flickered up, seeing a man standing over him.

"Rei?" Tala called out, slowly moving into the dim interior of the room. He didn't like this, not one bit. Too many things seemed... off for his comfort. "Rei?!"

Rei hadn't moved from his spot on the floor when Tala had come in, unable to respond to the calling of his name.

"Rei!" Tala cried out, noticing his mate sprawled out on the floor. He fell to his knees beside the neko-jin, gently reaching out and touching him. "Rei? C'mon, get up."

His body was limp, lying there, his eyes shut, his mind trapped in old memories.

"Rei... c'mon..." Tala was starting to panic. What was wrong? What happened? Why wasn't Rei responding?

Rei turned around as Lee pulled on his arm. The man standing there wasn't one of their tribe, he knew he would've recognized him if he had been. He gave a gentle smile, glancing at the children. "I need help, can you come with me?"

Tala was whining, doing anything he could think of to rouse his husband. Only, nothing was working.

"Rei, let's go," Lee whined, pulling harder on his arm. "I don't like this guy."

Tala looked around, searching for any clue to what caused this. Confused and panicking, he nuzzled his mate, pleading with him to wake up.

"Tell sensei I'll be right there," Rei glanced back at Lee before following the man.

Tala had gathered Rei into his arms, continuing to nuzzle, beg, and whine at him.

The man had stopped at the edge of the forest before turning around while Rei raised an eyebrow. His hand reached down, cupping the neko child's small crotch as Rei's eyes widened. "What are you doing?"

Tala was nearing hysteria as this point. His breathing was harsh and ragged as he fought the urge to cry, his instincts focusing on nothing more than trying to bring his mate back into consciousness.

"I heard that there's a cursed child, I wanted to see for myself," he whispered as he pulled the pants down. Rei shook as he stared at him in horror.

"Help," Tala's voice was soft, hoarse as he finally muttered the word. "Help."

His rough hand reached into his wetness, forcing into it as Rei broke down crying, tears falling down his cheeks. "Please, stop sir. Stop."

"Help!" Tala cried out, nuzzling against Rei as he noticed tears silently falling from the closed eyes.

The man roughly threw him to the ground, pulling down his own pants as he rubbed his wet clit.

"Somebody!!" Tala looked to the door, wondering if anyone could even hear him.

He gave a cry of pain as the tendon inside his body was snapped as soon as the man entered him. Tears streamed down his face, his nails digging into the dirt as help finally came for him; Lee and their Sensei.

Tala's larger framed curled over Rei's as he buried his face in the neko-jin's neck. "Please... somebody..."

Looks of anger were passed as the man left but the damage was already done, scowls passed at Rei as Lee tried to help him up.

Tala's body shook as he continued to fight against cry, his voice hoarse as he called for help.

As Rei was sent to clean off he heard the sensei's words to Lee. "I never want you to be like him, Lee. His only purpose is to die, that's why we keep him alive."

"Help," he muttered weakly, finally giving in as his body shuddered.

Some one had fortunately heard Tala's cries for help. Her hand on the door, Mariah opened it, gazing down at the Russian and her captain in his arms as a look of fear crossed her face.

Tala was beyond the point of noticing anything surrounding him. All he could focus on was nuzzling his mate, still silently pleading as he whimpered, unaware of the tears that fell.

Mariah hurried over, kneeling down beside them. "What happened?" She asked in a hurry, glancing around for a phone.

Tala's only verbal reply was a snarl as he pulled Rei closer, finally sensing they weren't alone.

Mariah gave a frustrated sigh as she reached for the cell phone on the table and dialed 911. Something had happened and she had to take charge if Tala wouldn't.

Tala didn't understand what was happening now through the haze of confusion his mind was now in. All he knew was that Rei wasn't responding to him.

Mariah quickly explained the situation to the emergency worker as best she could, trying to not let the state of her captain get to her. Some one had to be level minded.

Finally, the tears dried and the sobs stopped. Tala's body shuddered as he breathed raggedly.

Mariah turned towards him. "Get him downstairs now, the ambulance will be here soon."

Tala slowly nodded, numbly moving to do as the voice directed.

Mariah had hurried down the steps behind him; phone in hand as long minutes passed until the sirens were heard.

Tala stood there, eyes distant as he cradled Rei close to him.

A paramedic was standing there, trying to get Tala's attention in order to take Rei from him, wanting to get the unresponsive blader onto the stretching. He reached over, grabbing Rei's wrist.

Tala's lips curled into a snarl, sensing more than seeing the hand.

The man cleared his throat. "We need to put him on the stretcher."

Tala ducked his head, his arms unconsciously tightening their hold. Why? Why did they want to take Rei from him?

Mariah gave a frustrated sigh at that. "Tala! Put him on the stretcher!"

Tala whined softly, not wanting to let Rei go. But, slowly, he moved towards the paramedic.

The paramedic gave a sigh of relief, motioning towards the stretcher.

Tala moved once more, finally placing Rei upon the stretcher.

The paramedic wrapped the blanket around his body before buckling him down and lifting the stretcher into the back of the ambulance. He quickly got in, getting an IV and an oxygen mask ready.

Tala felt cold and numb as he stood there, still mostly unaware of the happenings around him.

"Go with them," Mariah grabbed his arm, turning him towards the ambulance. There was no way she was going to let the Russian drive there on his own.

Tala whimpered again, slow tremors coursing through his body. Where? Go where? "Where," he managed to rasp.

"To the hospital," she sighed as she pushed him that direction, the paramedic already having stuck the needle in Rei's arm and the oxygen mask on his face.

Tala moved, shuffling forward in a daze. He made his way to the ambulance, climbing in without a hassle.

The paramedic hardly noticed his being there, hurrying to make sure the neko was still breathing. It didn't take long to get to the hospital where Rei was unloaded and brought to a room.

Tala voiced no protest as some nurse bustled him into an empty room away from Rei. He remained silent through her questioning and prodding, have no information to give her.

Rei was quickly attached to several machines, wires monitoring several different things as doctors checked him over, trying to discover what was wrong with him.

Tala was finally left alone in the cold room. He shivered, his mind briefly wondering why he was affected by it. Cold had never bothered him before. "Rei..."

After what probably seemed like forever he was finally allowed back into Rei's room.

Tala felt as small as Rei looked as he stood in the doorway. He whimpered again, shuffling forward until he stood at the bed's side.

The monitor beeped steadily, monitoring his vitals as his chest rose and fell but still showed no signs of waking.

Tala's whole body was numb once more as he sank into the chair that always seemed to be just there when you need it. He reached out slowly, running his fingers through Rei's bangs. "Rei..."

It was cold, and he wasn't used to it. He didn't know how anyone could stand this barren wasteland. With a groan Rei finally got to his feet, reaching out for the crutches. He had Bryan of the Demolition Boys to thank for that. Sure, he had been bawled out for stubbornly getting up, having promised Tyson that he would see him beat Tala. But there was another situation now. One to do with periodic roses arriving at his bedside and a secret admirer he was to meet. Which was why he was out of bed while no one was watching. He pulled on the BBA jacket, wrapping it around his body as he quietly snuck towards the outside door.

Tala shifted slightly in the chair, ignoring the stream of doctors and nurses that flowed in and out of the room, checking this and adjusting that. His eyes were focused only on Rei as his ears twitched at the constant beep that filled the otherwise silent room.

The first world tournament had been a win for their side and for that he was glad but what he wasn't glad of was the chilly air that struck him, whipping his hair around his face. He needed to get to a local park, too bad he couldn't speak a word of Russian.

Tala watched as a new doctor came in, hooking Rei up to more machines. "To monitor the baby more closely," she had said. Tala nodded, worried for Micca, but more worried for her mother.

It seemed to be a long time before he finally made it to the park, standing where he was told. It was time to find out who was watching him so closely.

Time seemed to stretch by as Tala stayed at Rei's side. He had shrugged off the nurses, not wanting anything to eat or drink. He just wanted to be left alone. Or at least given some answers.

Rei waited in the cold, wrapping his arms around his body as he shivered.

Tala wrapped his fingers around Rei's smaller, unmoving ones. He caressed them gently, letting out another low sorrowful whine.

He still found himself waiting and was getting ready to forget it.

Tala sighed as his head dropped, the events of the day finally catching up as he slipped into fitful slumber. He had been standing not too far off, watching silently. He had been surprised that he had shown up and had wanted to walk up to him, but a new emotion emerged. One that made him stop and stay where he was. Despite Boris' "training" everything he had done had been an act. Emotionless... perfect... he was far from it. But the one before him was, at least in his eyes.

Rei turned back, starting to walk away with use of his crutches. He should never have bothered to come. No one would really care about him like that, or at least not if they knew what he really was.

His breath hitched as the other turned to leave. No, no! Slowly, he moved across the snow covered ground, the light crunching giving him away.

Rei turned at that, his gaze falling on the figure behind him. Tala... what was he doing there?

Tala stood still, turning his head away. He looked at the white ground, as he stood there, unsure of what to say or do.

"Are you the one that was sending me flowers?" Rei asked suddenly.

Tala bit his lips, his head giving an almost imperceptible dip.

Rei raised an eyebrow at that, waiting for his answer.

"Yes," Tala mumbled, still refusing to look at the neko-jin.

Rei turned around at that instant, starting to walk away. "I thought you were supposed to be emotionless."

That statement stung, more than anything he had endured today.

"Sorry to disappoint," he said bitterly.

Rei stood there, leaning against his crutches, wondering why he hadn't run away yet. "I'm still here."

Tala looked up, uncertain if it was a statement directed at him or not. "Why?"

"I'm wondering if you're going to give me a good enough reason to stay," he whispered, his hair whipping around him.

"What reason would you have me give you?"

"Why me?" He whispered, his eyes falling on Tala. Their teams were enemies.

"Because..." Tala paused, unable to voice his reasons. Words just couldn't say why.

Rei lifted his gaze, looking up at the much taller teen.

Tala stood there, feeling very foolish. He couldn't even give an answer!

Rei just raised an eyebrow. He wasn't going to wait forever for an answer from Tala.

"You..." Tala wanted to scream in aggravation, never having been prepared at all for this. He didn't know what to do, what to say, or how to act. Hell, the flowers had been Spencer's idea for crying out loud!

Rei sighed as he turned around, starting to hobble away. He should've known better.

"You're beautiful," he finally managed, eyes downcast, still unsure of himself.

Rei stopped in his tracks, a gentle smile touching his lips. "No one's ever told me that before."

"I can't understand why not," the Russian replied.

Rei turned around, his gaze once more on Tala for a long moment.

Tala was alternating between staring at the snow and flicking his gaze towards the neko-jin.

"You know," he began. "This will never work out."

"I know." And he did. Chances of anything working between them were practically nothing. But that didn't stop the way he felt

Rei sighed at that, leaning hard against his crutches. "We're on completely different sides."

"I know." Another stated fact, though not of his choosing.

His gaze turned down at that. He didn't even know what Tala wanted from him.

"I'm sorry," Tala muttered, "You shouldn't even be out here." He loosely gestured to the crutches and the little shutters Rei was trying to hide.

A look of shock crossed Rei's face. The machine he had seen blading Tyson would never have apologized to him.

Tala blinked, the feeling of inadequacy returning. What? What had he said that caused the other to react like that?

Rei gazed at him for a minute. "Is there any reason you wanted to meet me?"

Tala nodded, albeit briefly. "I wanted to."

"And now you just want me to leave," he whispered as he glanced down.

"No," Tala said looking up. That was the last thing he wanted.

"Then why tell me to?" This wasn't getting very far at all. Could the ice-cold Russian captain really have a crush on him of all people?

"I never said that." Tala said, confused at where Rei had gotten that.

"You told me I shouldn't be out here."

"You're injured and unused to our weather," Tala stated.

Rei gazed at him for a long moment. "And my flight back to China is tomorrow morning."

"Oh," Tala said, not having known that.

Rei turned around, starting to move away, He was tired of this waiting. Tala had called him out and he had come but he wouldn't be standing there forever.

Tala reached out, placing a hand on Rei's shoulder.

The neko turned at that, tilting his head to gaze at Tala. The touch sent a pleasant shudder through his body.

"You shouldn't strain yourself, and the cold probably isn't making it any easier. Where are you staying? I'll take you there," he said softly.

A moment of shock flickered across Rei's face for a moment before disappearing. Tala was a very decent man. "With the rest of the Blade Breakers."

Tala debated briefly on carrying the other, but the crutches would be cumbersome. "C'mon," he said, leading Rei to the road not too far off and hailing one of the running cabs.

Rei opened his mouth to protest this treatment but then quickly shut it once more, figuring it wouldn't do any good.

Tala held the door open as he looked at Rei expectantly, ready to help the other if necessary.

Rei however wasn't about to show any weakness, deftly manipulating his body even with the crutches.

Tala smirked at that. Even injured the neko-jin was as feisty as he had been when he had lashed out at the redhead before the tournament.

Rei caught sight of the marks he had left on Tala's pale skin; satisfied that he had at least managed that.

Tala hurriedly mumbled the hotel's name, being the only one of the two who spoke the native language, and sat back against the semi-warm set.

Rei turned his head to stare out the window, his crutches leaning against his legs.

"Bryan did quite the job, didn't he?" There was no sneer, or cruel mocking voice.

"Obviously not good enough, I'm still alive," he knew full well that Bryan had been aiming to kill him.

"Bryan didn't want to kill you," Tala said, somehow guessing what the other was thinking.

"Well he did an awful good job at it," Rei snapped for a moment.

"If Bryan had wanted to kill you, you'd be dead, no questions asked. Not even your bitbeast could have protected you. Bryan showed a lot of restraint, albeit it happened a tad too late," Tala replied, hating how everyone automatically judged them on their actions.

Rei's eyes flickered dangerously at that. "I don't buy that any of you were trying to lose."

"You're right, we weren't. But we didn't want to win either."

Rei glanced away at that. He didn't even bother looking back at Tala.

Tala sighed, not bothering to elaborate further. It wouldn't matter. It never did. He scowled.

Rei still didn't know why Tala specially arranged this meeting and didn't do anything. It made no sense to him. But neither did Tala being nice to him after the Blade Breakers had defeated him and his team.

Tala wondered why he had even bothered. All it ended up in was him feeling absolutely foolish. He shook his head and sighed as the cab rolled to a stop. He moved, opening and holding the door once more as he rifled through a pocket for the fare.

Rei got up, his crutches sinking into the thick snow as he hobbled towards the door.

Tala handed the money over before moving to follow. The snow was deep and the walk slick. Definitely not a good combination.

Rei however hardly seemed bothered by it, or at least wasn't about to let Tala know if it bothered him.

Tala didn't like that attitude and swiftly stole beside the neko-jin. "And what would you do if you had slipped out here?"

"Get back up," he said simply, not bothering to look at Tala.

"How?" He questioned. "I doubt any would find you for some time."

Rei shot him a look at that before landing unceremoniously on his butt, his crutches slipping on an icy patch.

Tala sighed. "I told you," he said, moving to help the other. Be grateful you landed that way. You could have injured yourself more."

Rei shot him a glower in return and took advantage of that moment to attempt to knock Tala on the ground beside him.

Tala, unsuspecting let alone prepared for such an assault, gave a loud yelp like sound as he slipped.

"I don't need your help," Rei's eyes flashed dangerously as he eyed Tala for a long moment.

Tala glared as he raised himself to his knees. "Excuse me for trying to be nice,"
he practically snarled.

"Why would you be nice to me? Aren't we supposed to be enemies?"

"Define enemy," Tala said, moving closer to Rei.

"You work for Boris and I'm part of the team that took you down," he froze for a moment, feeling Tala's closeness.

"You only did want we weren't able to," Tala's voice was low as he edged closer.

Rei's tongue darted out slightly, licking his lips as his chest rose and fell sharply, feeling him come closer to him.

"Scared?" he asked, noting the nervousness of the other.

Hell, of course he was scared. He hardly knew Tala. And after what Bryan had done to him the entire team downright terrified him.

Tala snorted, backing off a bit. "Poor, little kitten," he drawled.

That alone caused Rei's hackles to rise. "What's that supposed to mean?" he snapped.

Tala raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the reaction. He didn't say it meant nothing more than an attempt to get Rei to speak or something. No, that would take away his fun. Instead he raised his nose in the air and adopted his best sneer. "Nothing."

Rei put his hands down, struggling to get back to his feet. He was injured and wasn't as strong as he should be. Just getting up seemed to be a challenge. "Fine," he growled lightly. "Like I give a damn."

Smirking, Tala stood up with ease. He cocked his head as he looked at Rei before offering him a hand up.

Rei shot a glower but then gave up, reaching out to take Tala's hand. The Russian's touch was surprisingly warm despite the coldness of the air.

Tala wrapped his fingers around the smaller hand, lifting and pulling Rei towards him as his other wrapped around the slender waist.

Rei took a deep breath, feeling his skin tingle at the touches. No one had ever been kind like this to him. Sure, he had friends, but this was different, each touch making his heart pound.

Tala had Rei pressed against him, his arms wrapped securely around the other in an embrace that could be interpreted in different ways. "You're cold?" Though sounding like a question, it was merely statement.

He glanced up at that, gazing at Tala for a moment. "Not really," he whispered, not about to admit any weakness. His heart was pounding hard, wanting to get away. Every passing moment made his heart pound harder as he was held close to Tala's body.

Tala honestly didn't know what to do now. Part of him knew he should let Rei go, but part of him didn't want to. Which should he do?

Rei slowly pulled slightly away, taking a deep breath. "Please..." he whispered.

Tala blinked, looking down at Rei. He felt the push. Looking away, he slowly lowered his arms.

He shivered slightly at that, feeling the closeness of his warm body. No one had ever held him like this.

Tala really did not want to let Rei go, but what was the other thinking? Did he want nothing more than to get away? Tala sighed, really confused. Beyblading was his thing, not this.

Rei found himself resting against the warm body, his own body reacting even though his mind screamed at him not to. This was Tala, they were enemies, weren't they?

Tala hated this. Hated being confused and unknowing. What should he do? What was he supposed to do? He like Rei, yes, but how to really express that he didn't know.

His lips were parted, almost wanting to say something as he finally let his body win the fight and leaned against Tala's strong form.

Tala blinked in slight surprise when Rei leaned against him. Unsure of him self, he raised his hand again, wrapping the around the neko-jin.

There was something about Tala, but he couldn't quite place it, but he liked it. He felt safe for the first time in a long time. And then his mind caught up.

There was something about Tala, but he couldn't quite place it, but he liked it. He felt safe for the first time in a long time. And then his mind caught up.

"I'm sorry," Tala murmured, the two words meaning so many different things

Rei suddenly glanced up at that. "For what?" As far as he was concerned there wasn't anything Tala should be sorry for.

"For Bryan... for everything," Tala knew he wasn't god, that he couldn't control everything he had wanted to, but he felt Rei was owed at least that.

The wind whipped slightly at his long hair and baggy clothing as he pulled away. "I doubt you had anything to do with it."

"I know, but still..." Tala looked away. "Bryan shouldn't of pushed that hard."

Rei brushed a loose piece of hair out of his face. "It doesn't matter," he whispered as he turned. "I doubt Boris wanted any of you to go easy on an enemy. He only did what he had to."

"Yeah... what he had to." Tala fell silent for a moment. "Look, I..."

Rei glanced up at that. "What?" He didn't know why he was so comfortable in Tala's presence when he should be scared.

"I'm not good with emotions, but I.." He swallowed, not having an easy time doing this. "I really do like you."

Rei glanced up at that, smiling gently for a moment. "I think I may like you too."

Tala turned to look at Rei. "Really? Why?"

"I don't know," he murmured as he gazed down for a moment.

Tala lifted his hand, softly caressing Rei's cheek. "It's okay. I really don't know why either."

He felt himself instinctively rest against the caress, tilting his head up.

Tala smiled slightly at that, moving closer once more.

Rei felt the space close once more, able to feel the warmth from Tala's body. It felt good, especially with this chilly wind.

Tala wrapped his arms around the other again, pulling him close. Rei had to be affected by the cold weather. He sighed guiltily. Keeping Rei out here wasn't good at all for his injuries.

Rei felt himself pressed against Tala's chest, his cheek resting against it, feeling his heart beat as he remembered that Boris had claimed that he was a machine. Rei smiled slightly to himself. A machine wouldn't be this warm and caring towards him.

"You probably should go in where it's warm," Tala said, not making any motion of letting the other go just yet.

"You need to let me go first," he murmured.

"What if I don't want to?"

"Then we're stuck here," Rei didn't really look forward to going into the hotel room he shared with the other four in Tala's arms. There were just some things you didn't share with your team and being on the arm of the 'enemy' was one of them.

"I guess so," Tala replied, his breath showing in the chilly air.

Rei had started shivering slightly, the cold starting to get to him. True, it snowed in China but it wasn't like the sheer cold of Russia.

Tala sighed, "C'mon," he motioned to the hotel; "We need to get you in there." Sure he had other things in mind for warming the neko-jin up, but doubted they would be taken well.

Rei glanced back at Tala. "Can I go in alone?"

Tala nodded, backing away. "It's probably best."

Rei bent down, picking his crutches up from the snow covered ground and slowly hobbled towards the hotel. "Does your team know anything about this?”

"A bit," he admitted, "but they're wise enough to keep their mouths shut."

Rei gazed away for a moment. "We might not ever see each other again."

"I know," Tala sighed, hating the truth.

"I'm going back home with my real team tomorrow," he whispered before gazing back at Tala.

Tala nodded. He knew chances had been slim, but still... he had to try. "This isn't something I've been trained to handle," he admitted.

Rei turned back, seeing Tala hadn't left yet and for some reason he didn't want him to leave.

Tala stood there, not really wanting to leave, but knowing he probably should. Hesitantly, he took a step back.

"Wait," Rei finally said as he turned back to Tala, holding a small sheet of paper. He had it in his pocket, planning on giving it to the breakers when he left.

Tala blinked, reaching for the slip of paper. "What is it?"

"If you ever want to write me send it to that address."

Tala looked down at the scrap of paper, smiling a bit. "I'll keep it in mind." 9/29/2006

Rei nodded briefly at that, seeing that smile and wondering what it would be like to kiss those soft lips but that led to another line of thought. Hell no, I am not falling for him that way, Rei tried to turn his thoughts down another direction before a light blush traced over his skin.

Tala looked up, his light blue eyes gazing into Rei's. His brow furrowed slightly as he noticed the light blush. "It's getting colder," he noted.

Rei nodded in return. "I better head inside and start packing." Rei started to head back before turning back towards Tala, curiosity getting the best of him as he stepped closer, rising to his toes.

Tala blinked, a bit surprised by the action. "Rei?" he asked, his voice low. His warm breath ghosting over the soft lips before him.

Rei was just curious about the taste of Tala's lips, how they would feel against his own. He pressed a light kiss to them before shyly pulling away.

Tala raised an eyebrow at the shy action. Smiling, he leaned down, capturing Rei's lips in a soft kiss.

The action caused Rei's heart to start pounding all over again, rising higher on his toes as he wrapped his arms around Tala's neck to balance his unsteady form.

Tala wrapped his arms around the smaller waist as he pulled Rei close, slowly deepening the kiss.

Rei felt his body pressed flush against Tala's, inhaling his wonderful smell as his lips instinctively parted on their own.

Tala tentatively pushed his tongue past Rei's parted lips, deepening the kiss further.

Rei tasted him deeply, feeling his tongue probing his mouth

Tala moaned softly, his hands slowly roaming the smaller body as he curled his tongue around Rei's.

He pressed firmly against Tala, one hand burying in the surprisingly soft hair.

Tala knew they should probably stop, that he should let Rei go. But he just couldn't. Not now. Instead of pushing the other away, he held him closer, trying to meld against him.

Rei moaned quietly, his tongue rubbing against Tala's as he pressed firmly against him. He tasted so sweet and his hair was soft to the touch, sliding between his fingers.

"You should go," Tala said when they finally parted, gently nuzzling at Rei's neck and giving it an occasional kiss or nip.

Rei briefly nodded, slowly sliding out of Tala's arms. Damn, it felt good, just resting there against his warm body. "I don't want to."

"I don't want you to either," Tala replied, whimpering quietly at the loss.

Rei gazed down for a moment before his eyes met Tala's. "Promise me this isn't a trick."

"Why would you think it was?"

"Because no one's ever cared for me before," he stepped back into Tala's arms, pressing against his chest as he inhaled the scent that was purely the Russian.

Tala smiled faintly as he nuzzled into the dark hair, taking in Rei's unique scent. He knew that feeling.

Rei knew he had to go, knew that there would be damage if any of the teams bothered to look out the window and see him there with Tala. "I want to know you better,"

"How? Where?" Tala asked, knowing there were teams that would cause some problems if they found out.

Rei wrapped his arms around Tala, "I don't know," he whispered. They couldn't go to the hotel room, the Blade Breakers were there and also in that hotel were the White Tigers and All Starz, both of which hated Tala and his team.

"It's a shame that you're leaving tomorrow." Tala muttered. "That really limits time."

Rei pressed against him. "Where do you stay, now that the abbey has been destroyed?"

Tala shrugged. "Nowhere, really."

Rei gazed down at that, nuzzling against him. "I can't stay here any longer, my team's expecting me to go back to China with them.

"I know," Tala said, glancing at the building. "Do you... think you could escape a bit later?"

"After dinner," he whispered, "where do I meet you?"

"There," Tala said, pointing to a narrow alleyway between the hotel and it's neighbor. "There should be a worker's exit there, one you can slip through without detection." Most buildings were like that, having an entrance for the guest and separate ones for the workers.

Rei quickly nodded, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before pulling away and hobbling towards the door.

Tala watched him go, not as sad as he had been the first time. There was something to look forward to, something he had not had in a long time. He watched as Rei made it safely to the door before turning to leave. It would not be good to be caught near here.

The beeps were steady as Rei laid in silence in the hospital bed, his chest rising and falling in time with each steady beep, another machine monitoring Micca, showing a small ultrasound picture as she squirmed around, trying desperately to get the attention she thrived on but still her mother did not move.

Tala shifted slightly in his awkward position, halfway in the chair and halfway draped over the bed. The steady beeps rang in his drowsy mind, calming him in a way.